Alien Movie Universe

VFX: Witness the destructive nature of the Black Goo in Alien: Covenant

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Scified2019-11-09 15:33:01https://scified.com/articles/vfx-witness-destructive-nature-the-black-goo-alien-covenant-33.jpg
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Written by Chris23,329 Reads11 Comments2019-11-09 15:33:01

Whether you liked Alien: Covenant or not, critics and fans alike can agree that like Prometheus, Covenant was a visual spectacle and an incredible cinematic viewing experience. Like Prometheus as well, the visual effects for Ridley Scott's Alien: Covenant were handled with extreme care by the folks at MPC. This post is somewhat of a throwback, as it details some of MPC's magnificent work on the Alien prequel sequel.

Below are visual effects breakdown videos produced by MPC. Some of you may have already seen them but many reading this post likely haven't. What's most fascinating about these specific VFX videos is that they offer a fantastic look at the destructive capabilities the Black Goo pathogen possessed when it was unleashed by David on the Engineer society on Paradise.

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Regardless of where Disney takes the next Alien film - we hope the story arc concerning David and his Black Goo experiments continues to evolve! What about you? Should we see more Alien genetic mayhem in the next Alien film? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

The Alien: Romulus sequel is currently in development and cameras are set to roll by October, 2025! Be sure to bookmark the Alien: Romulus 2 Info Page for an up-to-date account of all available information, production updates and important details! You can also share any news & rumours we may have missed by starting your own discussion in our forums!

In addition to the upcoming Alien: Romulus sequel, we have the Alien: Earth TV series from Noah Hawley arriving this August and a rumoured Alien vs. Predator reboot in the works as well after it was revealed Weyland-Yutani play a key role in the upcoming Predator: Badlands movie! There's really never been a better time to be a fan of the Alien movies. Be sure to check out our image galleries for the latest images, posters, concept art and leaked materials for all these upcoming Alien projects!

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11 Comments

dk

MemberTrilobiteNov-09-2019 3:57 PM

The video has no black goo scenes or sets at all.

dk

MemberTrilobiteNov-09-2019 4:11 PM

The videos have changed. Unfortunately I cannot delete my first post.

hox

MemberFacehuggerNov-09-2019 4:13 PM

Huh? What was all that stuff dropping from the ship and bursting out of the Engineers, then?

More importantly, why does the same video appear twice above?

dk

MemberTrilobiteNov-09-2019 4:17 PM

The pathogen video serves as a good reminder of what an evil prick David is despite his dilutions of being superior and god like. 

dk

MemberTrilobiteNov-09-2019 4:19 PM

hox The first video was different. It was a time lapse video of stage setups. It has been updated. 

ignorantGuy

MemberChestbursterNov-09-2019 8:47 PM

dk

Despite? No it is quite the opposite. Because of his delusions of superiority could simply not care about others.

dk

MemberTrilobiteNov-09-2019 9:04 PM

ignorantGuy Thanks- I mis-typed and you are correct.

Kongzilla

MemberChestbursterNov-10-2019 1:00 AM

One of the best moments in the film. Also nice videos. I still don't know what happened with engineers - it's neomorphs burst from them?

Yog Sothoth

MemberFacehuggerNov-12-2019 8:43 AM

Nope, not neomorphs. The creatures coming from the engineers would be the first stage of the neomorph life cycle. Think of what came out of Shaw after her black goo exposure via sex with Holloway. Also, what came out of the mushrooms after their exposure. The first stage is some kind of parasite, which will then attack another creature and impregnate them with some kind of neomorph. The neomorph is the final stage, not the first.

BigDave

MemberDeaconNov-12-2019 5:12 PM

I think it depends on what Source of Information you use to TRY and work out what is going on...

This Scene we see the Behavior is Different to Prometheus, by watching Prometheus we would ASSUME the Pathogen would do one of these.... (depending on amount of Pathogen and Contact).

1) Replicate and Spread like a Viral Pathogen (Ebola) resulting in the Hosts eventually suffering from TOTAL DNA (Molecular) Break Down into..... Dust/Particles.

2) Infect the Host to become Mutated and taking on Traits that are IN the Black Goo (or Encoded).

3) A Combination where the 1) causes 2) where the Pathogen Replicates and Spreads, and Mutates the Host but then the Host then suffers from TOTAL Genetic Break Down after a Period of Time.

Then we have the Hammerpede and Trillobite which indicates that Certain More Basic Organisms (Worm and Genetic Blank Canvas of a Egg Cell) will instead EVOLVE into something Else..

Of Course these could be Effected by Different Ways the Pathogen is contacted and Amount.

In ALIEN COVENANT we see the Pathogen in the way its Activated and Deployed seems to have some INTELLIGENCE to it, as it SWARMS to seek out a Host, then it Infects the Hosts, Replicates and then Leaves the Host to SEEK another Target.

The Pathogen having such a Force that it would TRY and escape by any means from a Host to the Next, which includes Tearing Holes in them to Escape...

Then we are LEFT with the Desiccated Remains of the Engineers, we see NO Evidence of any Organisms they have Produced or Mutated into...

Is this EFFECT a Programed Reaction and so the Pathogen can be Programed to Effect Certain Genomes/DNA with a Different Outcome such as Re-Write the Genetic Code or Replace the Genetic Cells with Calcified/Desiccated Cells?

What a IDEAL Weapon that is if this is the Case..

Or was some kind of KILL SWITCH Activated on Planet 4 that would Release some Energy Blast or Something that would TURN all Living Matter into Desiccated Matter and THUS would Prevent the Spread of the Pathogen and Effects...

Such a SAFETY Mechanism would make Sense to have on Planet 4 the Release/Use of this could Account for the Juggernaught being knocked out of the SKY!

BigDave

MemberDeaconNov-12-2019 5:19 PM

We then have to LOOK at the Neomorphs, these came from the Spore Pods that were located near a Water Supply, the Juggernaut had Crashed onto a Mountain that has a Stream Running down it and so Water would Pour Over and Under the Ship...  and lead to the Stream Below!

If we assume the Spores are from Infected MOLD or FUNGI that has become a Hybrid Carrier of the Pathogen that has Created a Organism that is Spread via the Spores....

Mold, Fungi and Algae are found Near Water/Damp Environments and they are a Form of Organism and so maybe they are Infected by some URNS that had Fallen Over and Leaked from the Cargo Hold after the SHIP had Crashed..

The Effects are Different as these Urns had not become Primed/Activated and Exploded in the Air... or maybe the Pathogen has a Different Effect when MIXED with a Water Supply/Liquid.

Thats my Interpretation of what happened..

However what we are dealing with Really is a Radical Form of McGuffin.... a Substance/Plot Device that can be used and changed to Benefit the Plot for Ease and Convienience.

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